CompuServe Thread

#Need Killer fast render

16 messages in this thread
#123166From: Chip PedersenSep 10, 1994 3:19 PM
Hi: We are trying to build the fastest rendering machine. We currently have a Pentium 90, 1.2 gig, 32 ram and a Diamond Viper Card. Are there any accelerator cards for rendering like the YOST cards on the Macintosh? Thanks, Chip Pedersen Advance Development Group Andersen Consulting
#123180From: Jamie Clay [DPh]Sep 10, 1994 6:47 PM
>> Are there any accelerator cards for rendering like the YOST cards on the Macintosh? "Yost cards?" Must be another Yost, eh? Currently other than a faster CPU and/or faster hard drive (or a second or third computer) there's nothing that comes to mind. More memory is about the only thing else you can do with the system you have. 32 megs is a good start but if you're going to be doing any large scenes, you can speed things up by adding mo' memory and preventing disk swapping. J-me
#123195From: Steven ThompsonSep 10, 1994 8:47 PM
You could also try a Dual Pentium system. Or just wait for the 150's. Be sure to do Some research on the dual system's first. I haven't heard any r rave reviews, yet… If Intel offers a dual system, look into that. I've had superb luck with my 90 Intel. Steven
#123203From: – VisitorSep 10, 1994 10:56 PM
How many people do I have to tell……no program will take advantage of DUAL pentiums unless the operating system takes advantage of it!!!! For example, the Windows NT is one of the only OSs that takes advantage of two processors, that is somewhat related to DOS. All the other operating systems like unix, nextstep, etc… don't run 3DS!!!!! So don't tell people that Dual pentiums will run 3DS any faster than one pentium!!!!!!!!! C-ya, Todd Manus…… P.S. I know what I am Talking about, I am a computer scientist!!!!!
#123213From: NAAUGSep 11, 1994 12:26 AM
/* nextstep, etc… don't run 3DS!!!!! So don't tell people that Dual pentiums will run 3DS any faster than one pentium!!!!!!!!! */ But Todd, 2 computers (even independently generating 1/2 of the total animation generate the final in 1/2 the time. "Fast" is a relative term. I know several consultants that will recommend … say… 5 386's over a single pentium. For one thing you can now do modeling on one station whist the other two crank, and for two, there is an analogy for multitasking when independent systems can be used to generate a final result much like an OS chip combo can do so on a single workstation. I am not a computer scientist, I'm a user, and a cut my rendering times in 1/2 by using multiple stations. 🙂 -dave
#123226From: David StinnettSep 11, 1994 2:15 AM
He was talking about the new Dual CPU systems. There's a BIG difference between that and two single systems. A dual processor system has 2 cpu's in one computer and is only useful if the OS supports this kind of setup. Win NT does, as do some others, but Dos and Win (even win4), the only things that 3ds will run under, do NOT support these new systems. There is a version of OS/2 that is supposed to support dual cpu's, but I highly doubt that 3ds under this version of OS/2 will be able to take advantage of this. Of course, there is talk now of the upcoming Render Garden, etc… We'll have to see how that takes shape. David
#123316From: – VisitorSep 11, 1994 10:42 PM
Thanks Dave!!!! You understand exactly my point, but how can these companies Like Royal Computer get away with selling these bogus machines????? Someone should stop them, there are a lot of people who think that their DOS and windows apps will run fast, when in actuality they don't!!! Todd Manus
#123220From: Steven ThompsonSep 11, 1994 1:45 AM
Sorry. Thanks for the Edu. My entire experience with the duals has been a couple adverts. Thanks again. Steven
#123317From: – VisitorSep 11, 1994 10:43 PM
Thanks OK, If you have any further questions, don't hesitate the email me!!!!!! Todd Manus
#123473From: Steven ThompsonSep 12, 1994 11:10 PM
Sure. And thanks for the invite.
#123247From: krazy imagesSep 11, 1994 12:05 PM
Steven, Dual processor systems could be cool… but they are not that cool when you take into account that 3DS runs on plain old DOS+Extender and doesn't support multiprocessing. I don't know if they are going to support multiprocessing with future operating systems. Chances are that they are going to do it in order to provide with an scalable 3DS that could fit the needs of everyone, from the big production house to the single freelance animator. IMHO 3DS has to be scalable in many other ways: 1) supports for more platforms (why I should buy a dual pentium system when I could get a RISC system with even more FPU and interger power for 1/4 the price? 🙂 IMHO, this is the easiest way of providing scalable power to a software program without entering multiprocessor land -which is not that cool when you think in the technical side of it-. 2) Provide an open architecture for third party companies to release 3D rendering cards -i.e. a card with multiple cheap RISC processors on it- and 3) of course, support for multiple SMP operating systems running in different platforms. Also there is a need for support of realtime 3D technologies, like GLiNT. ana /krazy images
#123201From: M. G. BATCHELORSep 10, 1994 10:05 PM
I think he meant YARC transputer subsystem. I know for a fact Gary's not doing anything with hardware <BG>. BILL
#123244From: Yost GroupSep 11, 1994 11:36 AM
Didn't even know we had a line of accelerator cards on the Mac. <g> No, accelerator cards won't do the job for you. You'd be better off buying another 32 mb of RAM. – Jack
#123304From: Chip PedersenSep 11, 1994 8:44 PM
Thanks for the suggestions. The accelerator cards I ment were from YARC, sorry about the confusion. I guess I just had my new IPAS routines on my mind. Chip
#123391From: CSA/CASep 12, 1994 1:28 PM
Chip, No, I think maybe that's YARC cards on the Mac. The only other points that may help accelerate rendering is to be sure you have sufficient RAM for the project (32M is not that much), and a fast hard disk/controller combination for loading and saving images, textures, etc. Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
#123518From: Matt ArmstrongSep 13, 1994 8:34 AM
Chip, Give me a call – I think our "Render Jungle" will fit the bill!. Matt Armstrong AM Labs (214) 960-7915